Yesterday, on the campus of California State University Los Angeles, protesters staged a demonstration outside an “open forum” with Chancellor Timothy White. What occurred, however, wasn’t much of an open forum at all. Check out the embedded video below, taken by CSULA Young Americans for Freedom Chapter Chair Mark Kahanding.
Protesters, organized by the California Faculty Association (CFA), gathered to call for the university to increase faculty pay by 5%. Not satiated by a recent offer of a 2% pay increase, the protesters chanted statements like “we work hard for too little pay,” and “five is fair.” The union-led activists rallied under the banner of “Fight for Five,” not to be confused with the “Fight for Fifteen” movement, which seeks a raise in the minimum wage.
Strangely enough, the protesters were also fighting against a 2% increase in student fees. At one point, YAF chair Mark Kahanding was offered a “STOP 2%” sign, which was reserved “for students.”
How, though, do these protesters expect to procure a 5% wage, if they’re not willing to accept a 2% fee increase for students? Where do they think the money comes from? Last fall, CSU received an additional $216.6 million in state funding for the 2015-2016 school year, taken straight from the pocket of California taxpayers. Clearly this wasn’t enough for these faculty members, as they’re still asking for more. Will 5% even be enough? How long will it be until we’re hearing “fight for 10” or “fight for 20?”
Instead of welcoming Chancellor White to campus in a respectful open forum, protesters greeted him with shouts and jeers; clearly not the best way to host an “open dialogue.” Instead of working through issues like adults, the protesters resorted to name-calling and shut down legitimate debate.
This kind of behavior wouldn’t be accepted in any private-sector work place in the country. Why accept it from the very people who are supposed to be helping college students navigate their way through adulthood?
These kinds of demonstrations are occurring on campuses all over the country. Young America’s Foundation can help you bring sanity back to your school. Contact us today.
Amy Lutz is a Program Officer for Young America’s Foundation at the Reagan Ranch Center.
